Agapetes serpens

This plant from Nepal is actually an epiphyte - a plant that grows up in the branches of trees without soil, but luckily, it also grows very well down on ground level, where we can see its amazing flowers up close. I’ve always thought the red, pendulous flowers would make beautiful earrings. They have a nice chevron pattern that runs down the petals & are attractive to hummingbirds. The plant forms a thick, caudiciform root from which the stems grow. New stems & leaves are reddish in color. Agapetes can be grown in full sun on the coast & will retain a lot of the reddish color. If you prefer a lush, green look to the leaves, plant it in more shade. The branches are very long & arching & would make a great plant for a large hanging basket. In Greek, the word “Agapetes” means “beloved,” so whoever named this plant must have loved it. We think you will, too!

Kelly Kilpatrick-Propagator